Our services
Shockwave Therapy
Reviewed by Andrew Macdonald, Senior Physiotherapist — AHPRA registered, APA member
What is Shockwave Therapy?
Shockwave therapy (extracorporeal shockwave therapy, or ESWT) delivers focused acoustic pulses through the skin into injured tissue. It’s thought to work by increasing blood flow and stimulating the body’s own healing response in tendons that have become chronically irritated and stalled in the healing process.
What It Helps With
Shockwave is particularly well-evidenced for chronic tendon conditions that haven’t fully responded to loading exercises and manual therapy alone — including Achilles tendinopathy, plantar fasciitis, tennis and golfer’s elbow, and rotator cuff tendinopathy. It’s typically introduced when a tendon problem has become longstanding, rather than as a first-line treatment for a fresh injury.
What to Expect
Treatment involves passing a handheld device over the affected area, delivering pulses that can feel like a sharp tapping or mild discomfort, particularly directly over the most irritated point — most people tolerate it well. A course of several sessions, usually spaced a week or so apart, is typical, and some soreness for a day or two afterward is common as the tissue responds.
Who it helps
Conditions we treat with shockwave therapy
Frozen ShoulderFrozen shoulder (adhesive capsulitis) causes progressive stiffness and pain that can take months to resolve on its own. Physiotherapy can ease pain and speed recovery of movement at every stage.
Rotator Cuff InjuryRotator cuff injuries range from mild tendinopathy to a full tear, causing shoulder pain and weakness. Physiotherapy assessment determines the right treatment path, surgical or non-surgical.
Tennis Elbow & Golfer's ElbowTennis elbow and golfer's elbow are overuse tendon injuries causing pain on the outside or inside of the elbow. Physiotherapy treatment addresses both pain and the underlying cause.
Plantar FasciitisPlantar fasciitis causes sharp heel pain, often worst with the first steps in the morning. Physiotherapy treatment combines hands-on therapy, taping, and exercises to resolve it and stop it recurring.
Achilles TendonitisAchilles tendonitis causes pain and stiffness at the back of the heel, common in runners and people increasing their activity levels. Physiotherapy uses proven, evidence-based loading protocols to treat it.
Heel SpurHeel spurs are a bony growth linked to long-term plantar fascia strain, often coexisting with plantar fasciitis. Physiotherapy addresses the underlying cause driving both conditions to relieve heel pain.Frequently asked questions
What conditions does shockwave therapy treat?
Shockwave is most commonly used for chronic tendon conditions — Achilles tendinopathy, plantar fasciitis, tennis and golfer's elbow, and rotator cuff tendinopathy — particularly when they haven't fully responded to loading exercises and manual therapy alone.
Does shockwave therapy hurt?
It can feel like a sharp tapping or mild discomfort, especially directly over the most irritated point, but most people tolerate it well. Some soreness for a day or two afterward is common and expected as the tissue responds to treatment.
How many shockwave therapy sessions are needed?
A typical course is several sessions, usually spaced about a week apart, though this varies with how chronic and severe the tendon condition is. Andrew will outline an expected course as part of your treatment plan.
How quickly does shockwave therapy work?
Because it's used for chronic, longstanding tendon problems, improvement is usually gradual over the course of treatment rather than immediate — it's paired with an ongoing loading exercise programme, which is equally important for a lasting result.
Ready to book your appointment?
Got a question first? Ask Andrew — it's free →